Fence-post.



V. D. BRITTINGHAM.

FENCE POST.

APPLI CATION FILED JULY 16. 1911- l,261,353., Patented Apr. 2, 191a.

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VERTNER D. BRITTINGHAM, OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

FENCE-POST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

Application filed July 16, 1917. Serial No. 180,848.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VERTNER D. BRIT- TINGHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lexington, in the county of Fayette, State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence- Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,'clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to fence posts.

The object of the invention is to construct an improved post, by means of which either strand or fabric fencing may be evenly mounted and stretched and securely fastened, with a minimum of effort. With this end in view, I have constructed a fence post in sections, so that one of the sections may be swung away from the other and the wire strands or fabric laid therebetween. In the particular arrangement of the sections, I have provided a means for holding the wire in properly stretched or taut relation preliminary to the securing operation, so that there is no danger of subsequent slipping of the wire.

With the above objects in view, and such others relating to the details of construction, as may hereinafter appear, my invention will now be fully set forth and described, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fence post showing its manner of use,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the supporting section of the post,

Fig. 3 is an elevation of thesecuring section of the post, and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken through both sections of the post in their assembled relation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 represents the main or supporting section of the post, and 2 the securing or looking section, the section being complementary elements which form a substantially tubular unit in their assembled relation.

The section 1 or body portion of the post consists of the foot or base portion 3 which is tubular in form and of the proper length for insertion or driving into the ground, and the supporting section 4 which is preferably an approximate two-thirds portion of the complete cylindrical element formed by the complementary sections. The free edges of the upper portion 4 are provided with the plurality of outstanding spikes or lugs 5, upon which the strands of wire, or the longitudinal elements of a fabric fencing may be engaged for stretching. Said spikes or lugs 5 follow the curvature of the section 4 and lie wholly within the area of the interior thereof, so that when the locking section is fitted against the section 4 the spikes will be wholly inclosed. The lower end of the cut away portion forms a seat 6 toward which is driven the base 7 of thelocking section 2, when the parts are assembled. The section 2 is continued below the base 7 in a tapered foot 8 which is received within the tubular base 3 and wedges the section 2 against the section 4:. As above stated, the section 2 is the complement of the section 1, in forming a continuous cylinder, and when the parts are assembled, the lugs or serrations 5 lie within the cylinder. Bolts 9 are passed through the sections 1 and 2, and draw them securely together. As a matter of fact, however, the upper bolt 9, alone, will adequately unite the sections, since the foot 8 will prevent the separation of the lower part of the section 2 from the section 1.

In the use of the above described article, the strands of wire or fabric are laid upon the lugs 5 with the proper heights, after the sections have been separated. And then, after the foot 8 has been properly positioned in the base 3, the upper end of the section 2 is swung into position against the up er portion & and the parts securely united by drawing up the bolts 9. It will be evident from the foregoing description that the post of my invention will provide a very secure and adequate support for fences. If it is found to be desirable, the upper bolt hole in the element 1 may be slotted or elongated so that the upper bolt 9 is capable of such relative movement as to permit a sli ht upward movement of the element 2. Tiis will make it possible to relieve the tension on the wires clamped between the elements without wholly releasing them, so that individual recalcitrant wires may be tensioned.

What I claim as my invention is A fence post, comprising in combination, a split tubular structure, one element thereof having a base and providing a socket for the second element, and the second element having a tapered foot member adapted to telescope within the base and Wedge the edges of the second element against the edges of the first element a series of Wire spacing spikes formed on the first element and shaped to lie inside of the edges of the second element when the elements are as Copies of this patent may be obtained for semhled and means securing the elements of r the tubular structure together.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in the presence of'two Witnesses.

VERTNER D. BRITTINGHAM. Vitnesses JAS. S. GARRISON, MARGARET M. MARQUIS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

